Latest news with #MichaelO'Leary
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair's £91million baggage fines 'frozen' as major rule set for change
In a major boost for the budget airline, Ryanair has been let off paying a €107million (£91million) fine slapped on it last year by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs Ryanair has been handed a massive £91million victory by a Spanish court. The budget airline has been let off paying a €107million (£91million) fine slapped on it last year by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The organisation had claimed that the airlines' policies on charging for hand luggage violated consumer rights. The fines were part of a wider crackdown that included three other airlines, including Norwegian, totalling €179 million (£152million) in fines. Now the Spanish High Court in Madrid has decided to let Ryanair off, allowing the ruling to sit as a precautionary one. It comes during a big week for air passenger rights, with the EU's Transport and Tourism Committee voting to boost the amount of free hand luggage passengers flying to or from member states can take. "Passengers should have a right to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop (maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm), and one small hand luggage (maximum dimensions of 100 cm and 7 kg) without an additional fee," the committee decided. Before this decision becomes law, it must be voted through by the European Parliament in the coming weeks, and then discussed by country representatives for the European Council. The proposals have been met with fierce opposition from budget airlines and the Spanish Association of Airlines (ALA), which has criticised it and the Ministry's fines. The organisation argues that such measures limit consumer choice and disrupt fair competition in the EU's single market. 'It's about offering different service models at different price points,' the association stated. Ryanair claims that the legal ruling this week "upholds Ryanair's right, under EU law, to offer customers the freedom to choose — and pay for — any bags they choose to bring onboard, in addition to the free under-seat bag all Ryanair passengers bring onboard free of charge." READ MORE: 'Secret weapon' lets you beat Ryanair and easyJet luggage rules The Madrid Court noted that 'the dispute between the parties is indeed complex, and it is not foreseeable that material harm would be caused to the general interest if these charges continue during the proceedings, particularly considering that such practice has been in place for years and that even the European Union is currently reformulating the current legal framework concerning whether such charges are permissible'. Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary said: 'The Spanish High Court has rightly upheld EU law which protects the freedom of all EU airlines to set our own prices, a fundamental right guaranteed under EU Reg 1008/2008. The Court also upheld the right of all Spanish passengers to choose how much cabin baggage they wish to carry and pay for in addition to Ryanair's 'maleta gratis', which is bigger than the EU's prescribed sizes. With over €10 billion invested in Spain, Ryanair contributes over €24 billion to Spain's GDP, supports more than 10,000 direct jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers. Given the current political climate in Spain, Minister Bustinduy has far more pressing matters to address than interfering with low-cost air travel — an industry that is vital to Spain's economy. We now call on Minister Bustinduy to show respect for EU law and the needs of Spain's passengers and scrap his unlawful bag fines.'
Local Spain
a day ago
- Business
- Local Spain
Spain court shelves Ryanair's €107 million fine for 'abusive practices'
The Madrid court said it accepted their appeals against the respective fines of €107 million ($125 million) and €1.6 million while the basis of the case was still being resolved. The court also justified its decision by the costliness of the fines which would "cause a mismatch and difficulties for the treasury" of the companies. The airlines will meanwhile have to pay guarantees collectively totalling almost €112 million. The consumer ministry announced fines against five companies in November for what it identified as "abusive practices", including charging for hand luggage, providing misleading information and a lack of price transparency. Irish no-frills carrier Ryanair was specifically fined for charging passengers a "disproportionate amount" for printing their boarding passes at terminals when they did not have them. EasyJet and Spanish airlines Volotea and Vueling were also among the punished firms. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary slammed the "political" fines at the time as "illegal and baseless". Far-left consumer rights minister Pablo Bustinduy, who has become embroiled in a spat with Ryanair over his policies, conceded the practices would continue until the courts decided the affair. The successful appeals were "normal and predictable under the rule of law", but "charging for hand luggage is illegal", he insisted on social network Bluesky. The European Parliament's transport commission has proposed allowing passengers to bring a personal object such as a handbag or backpack on board, as well as another piece of luggage weighing seven kilograms at most. But the sector association Airlines for Europe says the move would increase the cost of tickets for passengers who choose to travel light.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Ryanair ditching paper tickets: rules for Wizz Air, easyJet, BA and TUI
Ryanair has announced that it will soon stop accepting printed boarding passes at airports With the arrival of summer, many Britons are prepping for their sun-filled getaways overseas. But prior to jetting off to the airport, staying updated on the latest advice regarding boarding passes is crucial. Although a number of airlines continue to provide both digital and paper tickets, Ryanair is set to phase out this choice. At the beginning of the year, CEO Michael O'Leary announced the airline's aim to go totally digital and plans to discard airport check-in desks altogether. As a result, printed boarding passes will no longer be acknowledged, with passengers required to have their digital passes prepared on mobile devices for scanning. The switch is now set to take place on 3 November 2025, having been postponed from May of this current year, as reported by the Mirror. Despite potential issues for those less familiar with technology, Ryanair states that 60% of its clientele are already adopting digital boarding passes, and the use of paper is on the decline. In response to this significant shift, we've compiled the most recent boarding pass regulations for four additional airlines and their implications for you. TUI Travel coordinators advise that if you're flying with several airlines for a TUI holiday, you must print your boarding pass onto an A4 sheet. This includes the following: TUI Air Europa Albastar ASL Airlines France ASL Airlines Ireland Evelop Airlines Germania Norwegian Travel Service and Volotea flights Guidance from TUI's website adds: "The barcode on the pass will need to be scanned at the airport, so the page mustn't have any rips or tears. Your boarding pass is an official security document, so you'll need to keep it safe until you reach your destination. "Just so you know, we can't accept any unclear, faded or blurry boarding passes." If you are unable to print your boarding passes, you can collect them from a TUI airport bag drop desk. easyJet The budget airline promotes its app as a more eco-friendly option by enabling mobile boarding pass downloads. However, it warns that certain airports in its network may not accept digital passes. Below is a comprehensive list of easyJet airport destinations where you may still need to print your boarding pass: ADB - Izmir AGA - Agadir AYT - Antalya AQJ - Aqaba BEG - Belgrade-Beograd BJV - Milas Bodrum DJE - Djerba ESU - Essaouira HRG - Hurghada IVL - Ivalo JSH - Sitia LXR - Luxor NBE - Enfidha-Hammamet PRN - Pristina RAK - Marrakech RBA - Rabat Sale RMF - Marsa Alam SPX - Cairo Sphinx SSH - Sharm El Sheikh TIA - Tirana TNG - Tangier Ibn Batouta Travellers setting off from these airports still have the option to check in online via but they must print out their boarding passes. Additionally, certain airports may mandate a document check prior to going through security. British Airways British Airways offers customers the flexibility to use either mobile or printed boarding passes and extends this feature to Apple Watch wearers. When the British Airways app is on your device, it alerts you as the check-in window opens for your journey. Once you've checked in and have your boarding pass downloaded, it can be stored for offline viewing on your Apple device. Instructions to access your boarding pass via your Apple Watch include: Download the British Airways app on your iPhone and Apple Watch. Check in for your flight using your iPhone. Download your boarding pass to your iPhone's Passbook/Wallet via the British Airways app. Scan your Passbook boarding pass at security and boarding gates. Alternatively, printing your boarding pass at home allows you to bypass the kiosk queues and head directly to security, although BA signals that this depends on the airport from which you're departing. Wizz Air Wizz Air advises passengers that they can opt between using an online or printed boarding pass. To ensure you board your flight without a hitch, please heed the following instructions: Check in online on the website, using the WIZZ mobile app, or at the airport. Print or download your boarding card. If you have luggage to check in, go to the baggage drop desk beforehand. You can find check-in and baggage drop-off times in the 'Check-in and Baggage Drop-off Times' section. If you possess non-EU travel documents, go to the check-in counter to have your documents verified and your boarding pass stamped. Show your boarding card and travel documents at the gate at least 30 minutes before departure.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Boarding pass rules for major UK airlines as Ryanair confirms date for change
Ryanair will implement a major boarding pass change this winter which will see scores of travellers forced to use digital alternatives to the traditional paper boarding passes Like most British holidaymakers, you likely download your boarding pass onto your phone to avoid queuing at an airport kiosk or finding a printer. While early check-in and digital boarding passes are convenient and eco-friendly, some passengers still prefer the tangible version. But Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary, has a nnounced that in 2025, the airline will fully transition to digital, with plans to phase out airport check-in desks altogether. This means the company will no longer accept printed boarding passes, requiring passengers to have theirs ready for scanning on their phones. Although this might irk those who aren't tech-savvy, Ryanair states that 60% of its customers use digital boarding passes, with paper ones becoming less popular. At present, Ryanair also charges a hefty £55 to passengers who forget to check in and download their boarding passes before arriving at the airport. This change could potentially eliminate such hidden fees. Ryanair confirmed that the move to mobile boarding passes will be pushed to November 3, 2025, after it was initially set to take effect by May 2025. In the lead up to the new measure, here are the boarding pass rules for the UK's most popular airlines. TUI The boarding pass rules for TUI depend on whether you're flying with them. Online check-in is available for all TUI customers travelling on TUI flights (those with flight numbers starting with TOM). If you've booked through TUI but are flying with a different airline, you'll need to check that specific airline's website for their boarding pass regulations. On the TUI website, passengers are informed: "To log into the airline website you will be asked for your flight reference number. Please note, this is not the same as your TUI booking reference. Your flight reference number will be a 6-character alpha-numeric code and can be found on your booking confirmation, e-ticket or in manage my booking on the TUI website." easyJet easyJet promotes the use of their app for downloading mobile boarding passes to keep travel details at hand whilst also cutting down on paper waste. Nonetheless, easyJet acknowledges that some airports in their network are yet to accept mobile passes. The comprehensive list of easyJet airport destinations requiring a printout of your boarding pass is detailed below: ADB - Izmir AGA - Agadir AYT - Antalya AQJ - Aqaba BEG - Belgrade-Beograd BJV - Milas Bodrum DJE - Djerba ESU - Essaouira HRG - Hurghada IVL - Ivalo JSH - Sitia LXR - Luxor NBE - Enfidha-Hammamet PRN - Pristina RAK - Marrakech RBA - Rabat Sale RMF - Marsa Alam SPX - Cairo Sphinx SSH - Sharm El Sheikh TIA - Tirana TNG - Tangier Ibn Batouta Passengers departing from these locations can still check-in online via but should remember to print out their boarding passes for flying. Additionally, note that a portion of these airports insists on a document check pre-security. British Airways British Airways gives travellers the flexibility to opt for either mobile or printed boarding passes and extends the convenience to Apple Watch users as well. If you've got the British Airways app installed, it can alert you when your flight is ready for check-in. Once you've checked in and downloaded your boarding pass, you can access it offline on your Apple device. Here's how to get your boarding pass on your Apple Watch: Download the British Airways app on your iPhone and Apple Watch. Check in for your flight using your iPhone. Download your boarding pass to your iPhone's Passbook/Wallet via the British Airways app. Scan your Passbook boarding pass at security and boarding gates. Alternatively, you can print your boarding pass on regular paper, allowing you to bypass the kiosk and head straight through security. However, BA notes that this depends on your departure airport. Wizz Air Wizz Air allows passengers to present both online and printed boarding passes. To board your flight, ensure your complete the following steps: Check in online on our website, using the WIZZ mobile app, or at the airport. Print or download your boarding card. If you have checked baggage to drop off, visit the baggage drop desk in advance. Check-in and baggage drop-off times can be found in the Check-in and Baggage Drop-off Times section. If you hold non-EU travel documents, please proceed to the check-in counter to have your documentation checked and your boarding card stamped. Present the boarding card, along with your travel documents, at the gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair slams 5 countries including UK over major 'scandal' causing delays
Budget airline Ryanair has scathed a cluster of European countries in what it describes as a 'scandal' of understaffing and mismanagement responsible for thousands of delayed flights Ryanair has unleashed a savage attack on five European countries, including the UK, over thousands of delayed flights. The budget airline has slammed France, Spain, Germany, Greece, and the UK for having the 'worst' Air Traffic Control (ATC) delays in 2024, based on Eurocontrol data. It is a drum Ryanair has long banged, and comes shortly after it published its name-and-shame 'ATC League of Delays'. ATC delays can be caused by a plethora of reasons, including unavoidable factors such as the weather or military activity. However, Ryanair argues a huge 'majority' of these delays are directly caused by understaffed airports and 'mismanaged ATCs'. "Despite 20 years of investment in SESAR (Europe's failed 'Single Sky Project') no progress has been made," the airline fumed. "The new Commission under Ursula von der Leyen has committed itself to delivering competitiveness and efficiency in Europe. Yet, it continues to allow the mismanagement and staff shortages in French, Spanish, German, Greek and UK ATC services." According to Ryanair's latest press release, in 2024, France experienced a staggering 35,1000 flight delays - impacting some 6.3 million passengers. Spain came a close second, with 32,700 delayed flights affecting 5.9 million passengers. Germany (18,700 delayed flights), Greece (5,000), and the UK (3,380) were also cited in the top five worst ATCs. "If the Danes, the Belgians, the Dutch, the Irish and the Slovakians can properly staff their ATC services and eliminate 'ATC capacity' delays, then why can't we expect a similar service from the very well-funded (by airlines), but hopelessly mismanaged French, Spanish, German, Greek and UK ATC providers," Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said. "The difference is that these are protected State Monopolies, who don't care about customer service. "They don't care about passengers, and they don't care about their airline customers either. Every year they are short-staffed and they are responsible for over 90 per cent of Europe's flight delays, which adds an extra 10 per cent to aviation emissions in Europe." The boss described the data as a 'scandal' of short-staffing and mismanagement, arguing it is now time for the European Commission to 'intervene and demand an efficient, competitive ATC service' from all of Europe. "Ryanair, our customers, and our passengers are fed up with these avoidable ATC delays, which are imposed on us every Summer by the French, the Germans, the Spanish, the Greeks and the British," he added. Christian Petzold a travel expert and Marketing Director over at BCN Travel, echoed Ryanair's sentiment - arguing ATC delays continue to 'frustrate' both passengers and airlines every summer. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, he said: "Ryanair are right to point out the contrast with high-performing ATC services in countries like Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Slovakia. "These countries have managed to staff their control centres and keep operations smooth even in peak summer. For example the Irish Aviation Authority is consistently one of the best for punctuality and minimal en-route delays, due to proactive recruitment and training pipelines for air traffic controllers. In contrast strikes, understaffing and bureaucratic inertia cripple ATC in France and Germany – two of the busiest airspaces in Europe." Christian added that the European Commission must take "action and demand accountability" as well as push for competition. Otherwise, passengers will see no 'real change' in European aviation.
